Bulgaria's national volleyball team missed a golden opportunity for a prestigious victory over the tough Cuban team, after losing 2:3 (25:23, 16:25, 25:23, 25:27, 13:15) in their first match of the final week of the group stage in the Nations League. The match was played in Ergo Arena in Gdansk, and the match point in the fourth set remained unconverted. 📉

After this loss, Bulgaria remains in 12th place with 4 wins and 5 losses (12 points), while Cuba overtook several teams and climbed to 7th position (5 wins, 15 points) - a place that gives the right to participate in the finals in China. The next challenge for our boys is against China on July 18 at 9:00 PM.

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Coach Gianlorenzo Blengini started with Simeon Nikolov as setter and three receivers - Aleksandar Nikolov, Asparuh Asparuhov, and Georgi Tatarov. The set started evenly, and Bulgaria quickly caught up from an early deficit. Tatarov's serve and Grozdanov's block tied the score.
Alex Nikolov and Alex Grozdanov were key in the final rallies, and Grozdanov's strong serve brought an ace and a lead. The Cubans made mistakes at the end, and the Bulgarians showed character - 25:23.

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The set started with good spirits, but Cuba gradually imposed its dominance. An ace by Yant and a series of powerful serves by Gutierrez unsettled the Bulgarian reception.
Despite good contributions from Georgi Tatarov and the block, Cuba managed to close every counter-attack. Venislav Antov's attacks were not enough for a comeback, and two consecutive aces by Gutierrez gave a serious lead. Cuba closed the set convincingly - 25:16.

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Martin Atanasov entered the game and immediately brought freshness. Alex Nikolov shined with a great ace at 123 km/h, and Grozdanov successfully blocked for a good start.
The opponent again brought intrigue, but the excellent blocking and setting of Simeon Nikolov brought control back into Bulgarian hands. Martin Atanasov scored key points at the end, and Bulgaria again took a 2:1 set lead.

🔴

The Bulgarians started motivated, and Grozdanov and Tatarov maintained the pace. A tie-break seemed close after a match point at 25:24 following an ace by Atanasov.
But two consecutive blocks - first against Alex Nikolov, then against Tatarov - turned the tide. Cuba took full advantage and snatched the set 27:25, sending the match to a fifth set.

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The tie-break started well - a block by Tatarov and successful attacks by Nikolov and Petkov. The Bulgarians led by 2 points, but Cuba got back into the game with blocks and good defense.
At 13:12 in our favor, everything seemed possible. But an attack error by Tatarov and an attack against the block by Yant ended our hopes. Cuba closed the match 15:13 after another dramatic turnaround.

📊 Statistics

I. Key indicators

" : Николов отново бе лидер на терена за България, а Татаров записа силен мач с ключови отигравания. От другата страна Янт показа класа, а Симон доминираше в центъра с блокади и стабилна игра.Analysis: Cuba surpasses us in attack (+11) and especially in blocks (+8). Nevertheless, the Bulgarians capitalized more on opponent errors (34 vs 26), which kept the match even.

II. Game elements

" : Николов отново бе лидер на терена за България, а Татаров записа силен мач с ключови отигравания. От другата страна Янт показа класа, а Симон доминираше в центъра с блокади и стабилна игра.Analysis: Cuba showed a minimal advantage in each component, but Bulgaria's performance in defense and reception was also stable. The distribution of attacks was dynamic in both teams.

" : Николов отново бе лидер на терена за България, а Татаров записа силен мач с ключови отигравания. От другата страна Янт показа класа, а Симон доминираше в центъра с блокади и стабилна игра.Analysis: Nikolov was again the leader on the court for Bulgaria, and Tatarov had a strong match with key plays. On the other side, Yant showed class, and Simón dominated in the middle with blocks and stable play.

🔜Next match:Bulgaria – China, July 18, 9:00 PM